New visitors center at Blue Whale of Catoosa to hold grand opening on May 30

The local chamber of commerce announced that a grand opening will be held at the new visitors center at the Blue Whale of Catoosa, Oklahoma, on May 30. The event will be from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. that day, with events throughout. It includes a Route 66 Blue Whale 5K Run to start the … Continue reading New visitors center at Blue Whale of Catoosa to hold grand opening on May 30

Visitor center at Blue Whale takes shape; site on track for mid-April reopening

The new visitor center at the landmark Blue Whale site in Catoosa, Oklahoma, is quickly taking shape, and construction there is expected to be finished by April 15. News on 6 in Tulsa reported that the final piece of steel for the revamped visitor center building was raised into place last week. The so-called topping … Continue reading Visitor center at Blue Whale takes shape; site on track for mid-April reopening

Blue Whale site in Catoosa shuts down for renovation project

The landmark Blue Whale site in Catoosa, Oklahoma, on Tuesday closed down temporarily for a months-long renovation project. The Blue Whale of Catoosa page on Facebook stated the closure was prompted by safety concerns regarding the construction. In the meantime, Blue Whale's gift shop is being relocated to the D.W. Correll Museum, located at 19934 E. … Continue reading Blue Whale site in Catoosa shuts down for renovation project

Ground broken for Blue Whale of Catoosa Visitors Center

The City of Catoosa, Oklahoma, and other officials participated in Friday's ceremonial groundbreaking for the Blue Whale of Catoosa Visitors Center. The city posted a photo from the event: More from a report by the Oklahoma Route 66 Association: “You can argue the most iconic monument on the most famous road in the world is … Continue reading Ground broken for Blue Whale of Catoosa Visitors Center

Construction work begins on Blue Whale Park in Catoosa

The City of Catoosa, Oklahoma, announced that construction has begun on the transformation of the Blue Whale site, a Route 66 landmark. The city stated in a Facebook post that the dilapidated Ark structure near the whale would be disassembled and stored for future relocation. The gigantic mushrooms behind the Ark were moved off-site so … Continue reading Construction work begins on Blue Whale Park in Catoosa

Tulsa Oilers hockey team to be renamed Route 66 Blue Whales for home games on Jan. 10-11

The Tulsa Oilers hockey team, an Anaheim Ducks and San Diego Gulls affiliate, will temporarily change its name to the Route 66 Blue Whales for home games on Jan. 10-11 in tribute to the historic highway and the Blue Whale landmark in nearby Catoosa. According to a news release from the Oilers, the team will wear … Continue reading Tulsa Oilers hockey team to be renamed Route 66 Blue Whales for home games on Jan. 10-11

Ida Red General Store in Tulsa is selling a Route 66 snow globe

Ida Red General Store, specializing in Oklahoma-made gifts, is selling a handpainted, Route 66-themed snow globe featuring several Route 66 landmarks in the Sooner State. Rhys Martin, president of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association who helped get clearances for the creation, showed the snow globe in a video: The landmarks I spotted in the snow … Continue reading Ida Red General Store in Tulsa is selling a Route 66 snow globe

New Oklahoma Route 66 grants go to Blue Whale improvements, giant dinosaur, neon projects

The Oklahoma Route 66 Commission announced more than $6.6 million in grants, including improvements to the Blue Whale in Catoosa, a 66-foot dinosaur in Tulsa and multiple neon-sign initiatives. The grants, initially reported by the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, cover 13 Route 66-related projects in the Sooner State. More about the grants can be found … Continue reading New Oklahoma Route 66 grants go to Blue Whale improvements, giant dinosaur, neon projects

Application window opens for Oklahoma Route 66 Grant program

The initial application period for the Oklahoma Route 66 Grant program opened Friday, making $6.6 million available to municipalities, nonprofits and government entities on Route 66. Oversight for the grants will be by the Oklahoma Route 66 Commission, comprised of Oklahoma residents who live and work on the Mother Road. The application period will close at 5 … Continue reading Application window opens for Oklahoma Route 66 Grant program

Holiday lighting event for Blue Whale adds a new twist

The iconic Blue Whale of Catoosa, Oklahoma, has been decorated for the Christmas season for nearly 15 years. But on Saturday, the city added a new twist to the annual event. Santa in his sleigh was placed onto the pond, with a long string of Christmas lights leading to the whale, as if the big … Continue reading Holiday lighting event for Blue Whale adds a new twist